Our favourite media moments

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Last week The Tribal Mind attempted a list of the top 40 popular culture events that changed Australia. Readers agreed with most of our choices, but some took exception to the inclusion of Merlin's "free th refugees" protest on Big Brother and Woman's Day's publication of paparazzi shots of Fergie having her toes sucked.

We included Merlin because he symbolised the start of a softening in Australia's attitude to children in detention. And the toesucking issue of Woman's Day, which sold a record 1.4 million copies in 1992, symbolised how Australia's attitude to royalty had changed from reverence to mockery, and how magazines formerly devoted to cooking and knitting had converted to scandal and gossip. Some readers don't consider these to be landmarks.

Below, after the reader responses on popular culture events, we've also published reactions to the previous week's column, which covered Australia's top-selling music albums and Tom Cruise's devotion to scientology. We particularly enjoyed one correspondent's line: "It's about time you Aussies got over Tom Cruise breaking up with your Country's blonde sweetheart". Perhaps THAT should have been one of the Top Pop Culture Moments.

Ray Farley: While not disagreeing with much on your list, I'd have to add: 1 John Williamson's 'Rip Rip Woodchip' (particularly how a protest song becomes mainstream by featuring at the NRL grand final entertainment the year of its release.) 2 Geoffrey Robertson's Hypotheticals and Denton's Debates - which both showed you could chew on meaty topics and still rate. 3 The Money or the Gun - which lifted the level of late night variety to a level only ever surpassed by Denton in other shows. 4 JJ commences in 1975. 6 Introduction of FM radio. 7 Countdown - which not only gave the Americans the idea for MTV but also managed to snare Prince Charles as a guest host. It also showed that anybody, absolutely anybody with enough enthusiasm could make it in television (take a bow Molly). Skyhooks - who showed that you could sing about Australia (without being a country music act) and maintain a following; indeed that you could sing about anything!!!"

Trudie Rogers: Loved the list of Popular Culture events that Changed Australia but one addition - the Closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. Who could forget that kitsch - the thong, the kewpie doll, the rotary clothes line. That GREAT party! I disagree with the inclusion of the photos of the Duchess of York having her toes sucked! Not at all earth-moving to my mind but agreed with the others. With the proviso that the "John Howard" apology should be top of the list - by a mile. It would be - if only the "other John Howard" had made that wonderful speech. Love the Tribal Mind - makes me feel I am not a dinosaur or not "staying in touch". Perhaps, Stay in Touch should have been included."

Nicholas Hammond: I was interested to see in that recent report on the culturally significant achievements that rated in the top ten, with Bob Dylan at number one and Elvis number two etc, that the landmark British television series The Prisoner was listed in the top ten. I think its creator, Patrick MacGoohan, is someone whose enormous talent has been ignored for far too long. In what I believe is an unequalled achievement, this was an actor who wrote, directed and starred in one of the most extraordinarily inventive and profound pieces ever done on television. Many years ago I met him, living in Los Angeles, and he was a man of enormous charm and intelligence, although sadly underappreciated. This most recent poll is a fine indication of his significance, and I believe he deserves to be celebrated. Those of us who attempt to act and write know how difficult it is to do the two at once, but to achieve what he did is truly remarkable."

Steve and Sheryl Sarkoezy: Great list ... We're old enough to recall almost all of them! Can we add: the first broadcast of radio 2JJ (January 1975)? ipods, iPods and even more iPods (2004) ?

David Toms: Merlin on Big Brother? How on Earth could you find anything to do with that drivel TV show culturally momentous? This idiot couldn't even spell "The". How did that change Australia? As if the 12 year old girls who watch that crap could even remember it an hour later with their 30 second attention spans. Are you paid by Channel 10?"

Peter England: Good list. Good idea. Take it to 100. A few suggestions, in no particular order. Sorry, my date and certain fact recollections are fractured (I'm in Shanghai designing a collaborative production between Sydney Dance Company and Chinese dance company .... theoretically a moment in Australian culture ... but who knows these days):

1. "You just like me 'cause I'm good in bed" - Skyhooks. First song played on JJ (now JJJ) launching the National youth network some time in the 70's.

5. NSW Premier's Department, sure they can do a better job of new Opera House than original Danish architect Jorn Utzon, run him out of town. 1964 (?)

6. NSW Premier's Department invite architect Jorn Utzon back to over-see refurbishments of Sydney Opera House based on his original designs. 2004. He refuses, true to his vows never to return to Sydney, and sends his son.

7. Aboriginal Art recognised as the single most significant and recognisable painted art form to come out of Australia by entire world, with the exception of Australia. 1976 - to present.

8. Bruce Chatwin's book Songlines, and the people at Utopia for initiating the above.

9. Boys with inflateable kangaroos on their backs ride onto the stadium for the "Sydney Handover" at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics closing ceremony. Australians loose their sense of humour and want to be taken seriously for the first time.

10. Harry Seidler designs and builds Blues Point Tower and no one seems to notice... 'till too late.1969 (?)

11. Prime minister Bob Hawke declares any boss who gives an employee a hard time for not turning up to work the day after Alan Bond's victory in America's cup 1983(?) "is a lousy bastard" (?) indoctrinates sporting fervour in national culture.

15. Young Asian man appears to make assasination attempt on Charles, Prince of Wales, at official function. But trips..... 198(?)

16. Prime Minister Paul Keating puts forward the extraordinary but true fact that Australia is part of Asia 1995 (?) Australians get suspicious. Labour loses the next election.

17. Australian Director Jim Sharman creates the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" , 1979(?). Australian, Brian Thompson, designs it, and Kate Fitzpatrick features. Everyone in Australia watches it with no knowledge of their own... to this day.

18. Australian director Gale Edwards creates "The Boy from Oz" 1999(?) with Nick Enright (bless him). Local producers sell out to Americans and totally disown original creators. No one in "Oz" flinches.

20. Landscape design of National Museum of Australia receives international accolades (2003). Committee set up by Prime Minister Howard to review museum declares some faux aboriginal rock art and a sundial would be much better.

24. David Gulpilil, indigenous actor, receives AFI award for best Actor in The Tracker ( or was it Rabbit Poof Fence ?) 2004. At the same time Gulpilil is "moved on" by Territory officials for vagrancy in his tempory dwelling in Darwin.

25. Un-elected NSW Premier, Morris Iema, declares he is "more a rugby man than an Opera man". No one flinches - it all makes sense. 2005."

Paul Freyne: Advertising. What about the "Life Be In It" ads with Norm, the "Best 'N' Less" ads (where you don't pay for any fancy overheads), the Joyce Mayne ads. Art Blue Poles."

Alexandra Sosnov: Great list. I'd add the Mardi Gras to that top 40. In terms of cultural change, there is also the (sad) turning point where one of our most racist politicians is embraced as a media celebrity - Pauline Hanson on Dancing with the Stars. But I wouldn't want to put that in for fear of giving her any more air-time."

Stewart Thorp: I think that the list produced today needs a few more sporting moments as Australians are renowned for their love of all things sport. A few examples: Australia 2 wins the Americas cup 1983; Pat Cash wins Wimbelton 1986 or 87?? 1st Australian Cricket tour of England (I Belive that was an aboriginal team long before my time). Dawn Fraser winning lots of gold at the Olympics. Other moments that occur to an under 30 year old (3 months under but it is still under). Ned Kelly killed. Harold Holt disappearance. Darwin being bombed by the Japanese. Ayres Rock reverting to its original name uluru. Lindi Chambelain gaoled, freed, gaoled, freed. Just some thoughts that you may want to add to your collective."

Alan Blease: I think the inclusion of BB's Merlin is a bit flimsy. I also think that the arrival of the Big Day Out in 1993 (92 in Sydney, but a smaller version of the full-tilt national event of the following year) was an event that totally changed the cultural landscape. I remember being aghast in the months leading up to that first concert. At the sheer weight of top-shelf international touring acts. We occasionally had great bands touring, even through Perth, but such a line up was unheard of, undreamt of even. Now its taken for granted. Its one of many and its what we expect. I really think it should be pretty high on yr list!"

Luke Trapl: An interesting list.... Surely the sacking of Gough Whitlam and the winning of the Americas Cup should have a place there somewhere?"

Nick Holz: 40. Woman's Day publishes paparazzi shots of topless Duchess of York having her toes sucked (magazines, 1992). Disappointed with the inclusion of this item, absolutely nothing to do with Australia. The other 39 items are part of history and Aussie culture.Maybe that piece of voyeurism is the start of the rubbish now prevalent on our media. What about the first film starring an aboriginal actor Jedda . America's cup September 26 1983: That HAS to rank up there with world series cricket in the popular psyche."

Tracy Sorensen: What about including Countdown on your list of Australian mass media moments? I saw every episode of Countdown from 1975-1980 & so did a lot of others."

Kent Larson: Ranking the silent protestations of a forgettable reality TV attention seeker ("Big Brother's Merlin protests detention of boat people") ahead of truly memorable events such as Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Slim Dusty's Pub With No Beer? Tourists have been flocking to Erskineville's Imperial Hotel to see the Priscilla-inspired drag show for 10 years. THAT's cultural impact. Perhaps if Merlin had chosen a catchy pop song instead of silence his impact may have extended beyond than next ad break..."

Stephen Punch: Surely the prizing American hands off the Americas Cup for the first time in 132 years in 1983 should be up there. I can't imagine there were too many other "mass media" moments in our history!!!"

the list. As a young kid, at the time, it was the only Australian TV show that didn't make me cringe."

David Cochrane: In the mid 70's a small backyard business, "Survival Surfboard Wax," I think from the southern beaches of Sydney, came up with a logo of a Kangaroo wearing boxing gloves. This of course came to the public eye flying from the mast of Australia II as the Fighting Kangaroo after winning the Americas Cup, although you can bet your bottom dollar that the proprietors didn't get a dollar out of it seeing a certain high flying businessman was involved! Okay, there's one icon, the Fighting Kangaroo and two cultural events, winning the Americas Cup and Bondy's business career!"

Keith Davies: I think you have forgotten one of the most important in your list - Australia wins the america's cup."

Jane McCumstie and Ron Stevens: When the Easybeats hit number one in England with Friday On My Mind it was a huge boost to local music. That they achieved this in the time of the giants (Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Faces) accentuated the fact. It made us believe that we were players and as such it must be up there in your commendable list."

Bruce Elder: I am really curious to know where people are getting the idea that the Men at Work song is "Land Down Under" when the correct title is actually "Down Under". I have just checked the record sleeve once again. I think someone should tell the source that there is no such song as Land Down Under."

Dr Jocelynne A. Scutt: How could you not include germaine greer's *the female eunuch* - an undoubted media event; the 1973 appointment of elizabeth reid as women's advisor to the whitlam government - a huge media moment (remember the endless stories about who had applied, who was being considered, who was on the shortlist - and on and on, with photographs galore of all the 'contestants'); the election of the whitlam government itself - surely a major media moment generally, and one enhanced by all the 'it's time' tee-shirt apparatchicks featured at the launch of the campaign, and the rallies; the draping of a bra over a statue in kings hall, old (now) parliament house at the 1975 women and politics conference (maximum media coverage); the women and politics conference itself (and its aftermath, including elizabeth reid's moving on to the international stage via the united nations).

The media moments throughout 1975 were notable; ita buttrose's great television advertisements for *the women's weekly*; denise drysdale's contribution to women-on-television; nancy cato/kate jones bringing children's television into the light, via the *magic circle club* (she was inundated by people who remembered her, when she appeared years later in 1994 on the bert newton show promoting *city women, country women - crossing the boundaries* (artemis publishing) in which her brief autobiography appears); and *monday conference* - where lots of women had an opportunity to put their views on abortion rights, family law, women and politics, equal pay - the producers had the sense to know that what women had to say was news and the most current of current affairs."

Pat Haines: Jean Shrimpton's mini dress Melbourne 1964 (I think)"

Angela Watson: Perhaps you have left out: The enormous impact of the trial of Lindy Chamberlain; The huge gathering of people to stare at the Beatles in Adelaide (or was it Melbourne); Harold Holts' death and LBJ coming to the funeral; The Tampa debacle; Jean Shrimpton at the Melbourne Cup was infinitely more interesting than Fergie having her toes sucked...."

Susan Andrews, Kent: As a Pom, I would like to add the film Gallipoli, which changed my perception of the role of Australia and Britain in the first WW and Walkabout which made the Aboriginal culture more accessible for many of us outside Australia. Also Prisoner (Cell Block H). I didn't know Australian TV existed (OK, maybe Skippy and Flying Doctor but I was a kid then!) until this programme was shown in the UK."

Andrew Prentice: A good list, no doubt. However, I hardly think McDonalds pretending to make an Australian hamburger did much to change the cultural landscape. And Bob Hawke cried at the drop of a hat so I'm not sure why his appearance with Clive Robertson was out of the ordinary. Maybe I can add a few to the list:

Australia II winning the Americas Cup in 1983 and Bob Hawke's memorable "Any boss who sacks someone for taking today off is a bum" speech. Gough Whitlam's election win in 1972 (and subsequent appearance in the Barry McKenzie movie). The CLOSING ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, especially the moment Midnight Oil stripped the tabs off their black shirts to reveal the word "Sorry". Muriel's Wedding (movie 1993). The Castle (movie). Anti-War protests attract 1 million to streets of major capitals (Feb 2003). Pauline Hansen's maiden parliamentary speech (whenever that was; I've tried to block it out of my memory). Lindy Chamberlain case (1980 onwards) It STILL provokes argument 25 years later. The Leyland Brothers and Malcolm Douglas TV shows; part of 70's schoolkids education. In The Wild with Harry Butler. Cathy Freeman's 400 metre gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. Blankety Blanks (the Graham Kennedy version) How did he get away with the double entendre at 7.00pm weeknights?n Paul Hogan's "Throw a shrimp on the barbie" tourism ads in the mid 80s. World Championship Wrestling (1964-77) Was this the first true multi-cultural program, where the heroes were Greek (Spiros Arion), Italian (Mario Milano) and Lebanese (Shiek Waddy Ayoub)? Andrew Denton Show's Chase For Skase campaign and his hiring of a bounty hunter to bring Skase home. Denton's Money or The Gun TV show "

Gabriel van Aalst: McDonald's introduces the McOz (fashion, 1999)? I would worry if people started to wear the McOz burger... in your list you had its introduction listed as fashion. Would it be worn as a top or perhaps it should be considered as a modesty burger or perhaps even it should be worn as a 'McHappy' ensemble with a shake and some fries? Keep up the good work I very much enjoy your columns."

Sean Regan: How the (expletive deleted) did John Farnham's irredeemably crap "You're the Voice" change Australian culture? Defined it, sadly, yes, but not changed it. "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" might have effected some change,

but that Farnham pap - never.

John Goulder: Surely the America's Cup win in 1983 rate a mention here. I know that it was tied in with Men At Work's "Down Under", but as a media event that had so many Aussies up watching TV all night, it must be placed high in this list. And what about Johnny Farnum's Raindrops instead of the boring song that's included. Raindrops really did have the whole country singing in unison."

Tony Smyth: What was your Tribe thinking? Bondy wins the Americas Cup buddy! England defeats Australia for the rugby world cup. Gough Whitlam,s government sacked. Melbourne has no rain for 24hours (only joking - its bullshit.)

Bill Schulz: I think you missed a seminal event. On 19 January, 1975, 2JJ started broadcasting with Skyhooks, You just like me 'cos I'm good in bed. I think you could slot it in at no. 37 instead of the Macca's commercial. The McOz as a fashion icon, indeed! What were you thinking! Otherwise, not a bad first cut. Could argue over some of them for hours, of course."

Anthea Gunn: Was the McOz really a fashion statement? And can you really pin down which instance of Bob Hawke crying was the significant one? He seemed to be crying for most of the '80s... I'd add: Gough Whitlam authorising the purchase of Pollock's "Blue Poles" for the National Gallery collection. The Ern Malley poetry hoax."

Michael Hutak: Are you just trying to be controversial? You put in your list "John Howard apologising to Aborigines on John Clarke's The Games" I consider myself an avid culture vulture and I've

never heard of this event nor can I find any reference to it on the

internet so I really doubt it was "historically significant or symbolised social change"... Last I heard sorry was too hard a word for the PM and those that wanted it have a "black armband" take on Aussie history. Therefore, on the same theme, you left out the Oils revealing their "sorry" tshirts at the Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony, and you also left out Paul Keating's Redfern Speech: "we did the murders, we brought the diseases, we took the children from their mothers..." both shocking omissions.

John Lapsley: Some Top 40 popular culture thoughts: 1. ABC's This Day Tonight. Before it, TV journalists were deferential to politicians. Afterwards egregiousness was de rigeur.

4.Cathy Freeman winning the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics. Record number of Australians rise off TV lounges at exact same moment, punch the air, and shriek "Yesssss." And, surely ...

5. Sir Les Patterson, Minister for Yarts.."

Margaret Cossey: I'd like to add to your list: Gough Whitlam supporting the purchase of Jackson Pollack's Blue Poles (never mind getting the National Art Gallery up and running!)"

Roberta Fookes: I was interested to see the 2UE top forty chart make your list today. I was a music programmer in the 2UE record library in 1958 and, after a visit to the US earlier that year, the general manager Alan Faulkner and owner, Stuart Lamb, decided the station should adopt the top 40 format. As I recall, we also broadcast 24 hours a day, the first Sydney station to do so I understand, at the same time. They asked me if I could come up with the top forty hits each week. It was a pretty simple format, I called the five top record stores in Sydney, they gave me their top selling discs in order (and I often wondered if they were just making it up). I added in the 2UE Hit Parade, another programme we broadcast, called I think 'Australia's Choice', and a survey taken each afternoon in the Howard Craven programme Rumpus Room.

Then it was a matter of awarding the top record 40 points down to one for the last, a bit of mathematical calculation and the Top Forty was born. We used to play the full new list every Sunday afternoon and the following week's programming was based around these 40 records. We also had a friendly Qantas pilot who would bring us copies of the latest new discs from the US and we played a cat and mouse game with the copyright people to see how many times we could play these before they put a restriction on air play pending their local release. Shortly after, the station rated number one and many other Sydney radio stations eventually copied the format. At this time John Laws was in his first Sydney stint at 2UE, Bob Rogers had joined the station from Queensland and Gary O'Callaghan had been persuaded to do the breakfast programme and to create Sammy Sparrow after Russ Walkington suddenly departed to 2UW taking Gerald the Grasshopper with him."

Jim O'Brien: It is obviously a very subjective issue. Here's a few others you might consider. Launch of 2JJ. Breaker Morant. Launch of the Australian newspaper. Launch of 'The National Times'. Norman Gunston."

Rachael Ayre: In response to your list of Mass media Moments I wanted to say that one of the truly defining television moments of my adolescence was the premiere of the Grim Reaper commercial on TV. I won't ever forget seeing that ad for the first time and how it scared me about the AIDS virus forever. That ad I think truly marked a change in society and the growing health concerns of a nation."

F Hayward, London UK: Interesting list, i must say. I noticed you have Normie Rowe decking Won Casey but what about Normie being drafted? Or am I just showing my age? And the Dismissal??????????"

Di Caldwell-Smith: I look forward to the Tribal Mind column and the comments. Maybe you have a cult column going culturally yourself! Four come to mind which signify both historical significance and cultural change, plus socially - also will stay top of mind. 1. The Albury hotel in Oxford St where the drag shows played (before it was turned into shops) It wasn't so much the Priscilla movie, but where the idea came from. 2. Gay Mardi Gras - acceptance and tolerance by Australians as well as a huge tourist and money making concern 3. Steve Irwin, Crocodile Man's incident, when he dangled his baby over a croc - big international message. 4. This week - John Brogdan's (NSW Opposition Leader's) resignation, over his drinking incident, making comments re mail order brides, and propositioning & pinching female journalists. Australians no longer tolerate this."

Norm Crothers: Not a bad list, but I really think that Graham Kennedy's tonight shows and Barry Humphries et al are just Melbourne influences. And perhaps Barry Jones in his pick a box days belongs to Melbourne too. Sydney only relates to braininess that makes $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I think David Dale's 'How to be Italian' on 702 ABC (1995??) should be on the list."

Steve Prentice: Crikey! Where's Steve Irwin?"

David Annetts: Good list! Sure, it's lost a lot of its lustre nowadays, but I didn't see the introduction of 2JJ (or JJJ) on your list?

Ross Crossman: It may be trivial to some, but one defining moment for me, and the Australian music industry, was the 1981 National Rock Awards (the old King of Pop?). This horrendous awards extravaganza annually highlighted the lows to which Aussie musicians had to sink to sell records. You had to be a 'star' in the TV Week galaxy to succeed. Finally a pub rock stalwart - Cold Chisel - emerged from the glitter and fizz, chested up and won a heap of awards. They declined to accept, but appeared as the final act on the show. They trashed the set with a song that slammed the magazine for cashing in on rock's success.

My enduring memory is off Barnsie bent over screaming "eat this, eat this, eat this..." as Ian Moss drove his axe through his amp stack. I sat there openmouthed and went 'yesssssssssss"!!! I think that was the last NRA/KOP award. TV Week's influence diminished and Australian music grew up. We no longer needed the TV Week and Countdown path to success."

Germaine Greer (doing something media wise), Was it Jean Shrimpton or Twiggy wearing the mini skirt at the Melbourne Cup in the mid 60s? Mick Jagger as Ned Kelly. Easybeats (pick a song!) Bee Gees Spicks and Specks. Rolf Harris "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport". Probably the biggest omission though is the Beatles tour 1964! Undoubtedly there are many more...."

Garrie Maguire: I kept going back to the list... perhaps the greatest

moment was when the whole of australia wanted a Koori girl to win in front of the world. this event was one of the greatest moments in white aus embracing Aboriginal aus."

Jill Edwards: Countdown. sundays nights with molly. Even just molly for that matter, he's done so many completely freaky interviews with people over the years, prince charles is coming to mind, he's a phenomenon unto himself. bit more impact than The Block."

Drusilla Megget: I'm sure you should put the following on the list -- the creation of the ABC's youth network with opening of Double JJ radio in 1970s. Roy and HG - probably in their best TV manifestation - the Dream or Club Buggery. Please also support the ABC as it needs all the help it can get these days with lack of funding and enemies on the board. Also any independent media is also under threat with proposed changes to cross-media ownership laws."

Scot Mcphee: Read your most recent Tribal Mind with interest. But I think there are sins of omission here, as probably a thousand others with a thousand other suggestions who might write you about this. But I will try to justify my opinions here. As for influential on national culture, how can you have 'Bandstand' without 'Countdown'?! That's your major sin in that list. I don't even remember Bandstand, being born in 1965, but Countdown was a standard feature of TV in the 70s and 80s. Wasn't it even mentioned by Billy MacMahon? Countdown stands as a monolith over the entire late-1970s, early-1980s national music culture! Many many bands came through that mill which connected the individual city pub rock scenes with a national audience and introduced many successfull acts to the national stage. E.g. INXS, The Models, The Reels, The Sunnyboys, The Church, to name a few and to avoid the boy-bands like Sherbet so beloved of Molly Meldrum. And even on the world stage; for example the way that Meldrum pushed acts like Abba, Blondie, and Madonna, and although they may have been successful regardless of this exposure, I think that Molly's unashamed fandom of these acts and their ensuing Australian chart success probably ensured their international impact was greater than it would have been.

While on the tip of the TV music shows, the other big one would be the beginning of "Rage" back in 198? . Until this point, Generation-X late-teenagers and early 20-somethings like myself who had outgrown Countdown had no really quality late night TV music to watch at 3am when we came home from the Trade Union Club or wherever we were that night; but Rage not only filled this gap but got rid of the annoying presenter personality cult and played a lot of quality and obscure music to a very willing audience. Rage changed our expectations as to how music TV worked with the excellent mix of new and classic music long before Channel[V] and MTV came along with to fill it up with celebrity-based reality TV and car-makeover shows and derivative pop R&B and neo-"emo"-punk nonsense.

Here's two more radio events for you - the start of 2JJ with Skyhooks' "You just like me cos I'm good in bed", and the nationalisation of JJJ. The first to become a great Sydney institution introducing a lot of really interesting music to Sydney's adventurous radio listeners, and the latter because it was the beginning of the slow death of the great radio experiment, through which it still suffers a slow and agonising death today. Remember the all-day show/festival "The Works" that they used to put on once a year? What about the "Fuck Tha Police" episode? As for bands themselves, why Men at Work? If you were to pick influential Aussie rock let's start at the beginning with Johhny O'Keefe (see RAGE, which still features to this day as part of it's theme music, Iggy Pop covering JOK's song "Real Wild Child").

Or how about the Easybeats, the success of which bankrolled the songwriting team of Vanda and Young, which enabled them to produce and record such luminary acts as AC/DC. And not to mention the Bee Gees who are one of the biggest selling rock/pop acts of all time? How about The Saints - one of the world's first punk bands to release a single and a highly influential one at that. The punk revolution started a new musical journey that still affects music today. Or INXS which despite their recent embarrassing TV escapades nonetheless were in the 80s one of the biggest rock acts on the planet! Although the really big media event there perhaps is the death of Hutchence. Anyway, good effort but it needs more work!"

Rebecca Fauske: I have to say your list was really interesting. The only entry I would argue with is Kath & Kim - I don't understand the fascination with that show! Since when is being stupid amusing?? They portray Australians as overweight, useless, untalented, delusional, alcoholic, ugly, lazy, unemployed bogans who can't string an intelligent sentence together, don't get off our rear end unless it's for sex or a beer, and wouldn't know what fashion is even if it hit us in the g-string-exposed rear ... and we're supposed to be proud of that??? I'm personally pretty tired of the "Australian" persona we're displaying to the world ... I've travelled to nearly 30 countries and in every one, as soon as I've said I'm Australian, the locals in those countries expect me to be stupid. And the frustrating thing is - I'm not even exaggerating!

The Australian stereotype is a bad one ... pathetic even ... you only need to look at the way we were portrayed in the Simpsons go to Australia episode for proof of that. If you watch American talkshows, you'll notice the first thing any Australian guest is asked is a stereotypically bogan-based. I am personally ashamed that we are exporting ridiculous garbage like Kath & Kim around the world for all to see; we have so many more worthwhile, higher-quality and culturally significant productions! I'm embarrassed and frustrated with being treated like a brainless moron and being asked to imitate the idiotic catchphrases from that show (or Crocodile Dundee) by every foreign person I meet. It's ridiculous - and I personally think it's about time Australia started taking more pride in itself and its image.

Noni Primrose: The Green Bans, circa 1960 which made such a difference to whether or not our forshores stayed green or became housing and factories, and the reclaiming of prior factory foreshor land for green usage. Reenactment of the First Fleet Arrival."

John Lowry: The two events that woke-up SE Queensland were 1) The Commonwealth Games in 1982 and 2) World Expo in 1988. We changed forever. Nobody wanted the fun to stop. Since then growth in the area is astonishing."

David Bowden: The list is great. Can I suggest a few more? 1. Hoadley's Battle of the Bands" you will recall winners like Mate's Apprentices, the Groop, The Groove etc set off on a bloody cruise liner to the UK to seek fame and fortune and probably lived on those chocolate bars - is Hoadley's still around or part of the Campbell's Soup Empire? 2. The Bee Gee's singing "Spics and Specks" in Civic Park in Newcastle in about 1967 just before they went to the UK and made their fortune 3. Water Rats - Murdoch's Star Asia used to show this and it was my only way of staying in touch with the Land of Oz" God knows what Rupert's Mandarin translators made of "chucking' a u-ee in a ute at the uni" stuff that spiced up the language used by those water police.

4. Love the No 96 mention. Just as an aside - Joe Hashim the first official gay on Oz TV I think, is now Mr Voice Over here in Malaysia with his own production house and acting theatre called Actor's Studio I could think of a lot more - Stompin at Maroubra - Little Pattie. Mashed Potato - Billy Thorpe (these were the only lyrics in the tune) AC/DC writing Highway to Hell for Tiny Tim to perform Eric Bogle "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" Austin Tashus's anthem The singing of Waltzing Matilda at rugby internationals Malcolm Fraser's "pants" incident Where do ya stop? Have fun."

David Bowden: Have we mentioned Skyhooks somewhere in the list? They have to be up there, blokes cross-dressing and having a good time on stage... that was pretty ballsy in the 70s. Kamahl's "Why are people so unkind" tag. The man's a bloody legend to have

lasted this long in small-town Australia. Jeff Fenech's "I love youse all". SBS' "Fat Pizza" TV show... deliciously twisted Aussie ethnic humour set in the 'burbs... screws with every race in Australia mercilessly. Brilliant. A bit more T&A and I daresay this show would be bigger than Kath & Kim.

Gotta give Pauline Hanson a go... she put the spotty on Australia big-time as a wannabe Federal politician with "interesting" policies, NOT! Has now remade herself as a ballroom dancer on TV on Ch 7's "Dancing with the Stars". Talk about highs and lows hey? Hate to say it, but Christopher Skase created a whole lot of jobs for the

Attorney-Generals office for a lot of years during "the chase". Almost

everyone's uncle or auntie from Broome to Bundaberg could claim to have been ripped off by the baaaaaastard. Still a good BBQ stopper. Last but by no means least (for now), Australian Idol and the group of mildly-talented wannabes since Season 1 (now in Season 3). The show still has some office water-cooler gossip appeal."

That's a joke right? I'm an Englishman, and I have lived in Sydney for three and a half years. Even I know that rating this as one of "The Top 40 Popular Culture Events That Changed Australia in the past 50 years" is a ridiculous travesty. I'm sorry, but how exactly did Merlin "Change Australia"? Did he singlehandedly release the refugees? Have his actions resulted in any kind radical and gratifying change? Was he the Aussie equivalent of that guy in Tianaman Square fronting up to the tanks on his bicycle? No. He was a nobody, who did nothing, and if you ask anyone on the street who Merlin is you're more likely to bump into a Dungeons and Dragons fan than a fan of last year's Big Brother.

You claim that: "Australians were strongly influenced by the events on the international list, which starts with Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone and Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel and includes A Clockwork Orange and The Godfather from film, and The Simpsons and Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner from television." Are you really saying that of all the Australian media moments in the last 50 years, that some game show contestant called "Merlin" has played as important a role in Australian culture as Elvis Presley has played in American culture? We're talking Mass Media here, mate, not Gretel's most embarrassing moments (a series that would run for years and years.) This also means that you are willing to insult Australia and Australians so badly that you will state that they have only done FIFTEEN THINGS that are more worthy of note in the last 50 years than Merlin's protest.

How dare you! What an outrageous insult, and something that is quivering close to treason! I can't believe how much I'm outraged by your betrayal of your fellow Aussies. There are thousands more Aussie moments of MASS MEDIA GREATNESS than some guy called Merlin. For example, Triple J playing N.W.A's "Express Yourself" on a 24 hour loop as a protest against management banning them playing the N.W.A's "Fuck Tha Police"(sic). That sounds like a pretty revolutionary moment in Australian Mass Media, something that will have reached and affected a lot of people, and a moment that has lasting repercussions. Triple J is a constant font of Australian talent, talent that goes on to conquer not only the Australian, but also the world media.

You really have no idea. I mean, come on. In one moment you applaud a program from the 70's for having gay characters (5. Number 96 shows first bare breasts, first gay kiss and first terrorist bomb (TV, 1972-75)), then you suddenly declare that because a gay couple were featured on The Block (35. The Block features gay renovators (TV, 2003)) it's a revolutionary moment in Australian culture. Make up your mind. Unbelievable."

And now, readers' responses to the column in which we wondered why Meatloaf was listed as Australia's top album seller and what was behind the success of War of the Worlds

Greg Evans: Subject: Meatloaf (& three Veg). Methinks you underestimate the appeal of Mr Loaf. I wonder if you were in Australia at the time. Bat Out Of Hell ( as horrible as it may seem) was a generation and genre boundary breaker at a time when albums had become more generally accessible, especially price-wise. It could be considered the "Hot August Night" of its decade - with greater sales potential.

Consider: as well as the great Westy hordes adopting it as an anthem, there were the numbers of Rocky Horror junkies, to whom Eddie (aka Mr Loaf) was a hero. The musicality of the album, thanks to Jim Steinman, broadened it's appeal even further. On release, anybody from 15 to 50, at least would be potential buyers, and kids grew up with it, and still love it. Recording and reproduction quality were at a relative peak. Countdown was a large influence, and it's promotion of BOOH couldn't have been coincidental. If memory serves, it wasn't an instant hit, but certainly built momentum. Having said all that, it is pretty banal, isn't it? Even though I too confess to knowing all the lyrics."

Greg Churilov: It's constantly disheartening, when you're a member of a minority religion, that journalists - supposedly entrusted to inform the public - say or write the most outlandish fabrications about one's religion without bothering to check the facts. We Scientologists do not believe Thetans are aliens. "Thetan", a word derived from the greek letter "theta", is the Scientology word for "spirit" or "soul", and is meant to represent the spiritual individual himself/herself as opposed to his/her body. We do not have a "thetan inside each of us", we ARE thetans - we are spiritual beings. And none of this has anything to do with show business, none of this has anything to do with War of the Worlds or why the movie is doing well in Australia.

It's about time you Aussies got over Tom Cruise breaking up with your Country's blonde sweetheart and giving the man a break for being a good actor and a good movie producer. Either way, mocking a person's religious beliefs has never made for good copy. My religion, the Church of Scientology, does happen to have a well-organized Media department (see: http://www.scientologytoday.org and they would welcome your call, should you ever be inclined to throw in some facts and actual data amidst the gossip and sensationalism."

Marcus Butler: Just wanted to put my two bob's worth into the so called Tom Cruise pulling power. What pulling power? The guy must be one of the biggest knobs on the planet (or the galaxy - where ever) but who says that we went to see War of the Worlds because Tom was in it? I went and saw it because it was a Spielberg flick and because the legend of War of the Worlds has been only ever been seen in text and never on the silver screen. TC ruined it with his hard to believe father roleplay and the fact that the guy must be the biggest weirdo I know of. Apart from that, the movie was a small 7 out of 10. Thanks for the humour in your stories. We're lovin' it. Keep up the good work."

Julie Grimshaw: Thought you might like to know - Today, illegal drug trafficking is a 400-billion-dollar-per-year industry. Last year, Americans spent 150 billion dollars on prescription drugs, 90 billion more than just 6 years ago. Illiteracy effects a billion people. Children are now taught "skimming without duplication" (the whole word method) in reading is the way to go- and if they don't learn then there are pills. In the 10 minutes after reading this - 10 children will have been prescribed mind-altering psychiatric drugs. Scientology has the goals of eradicating war, crime, insanity and psychiatric abuse. Cynical criticism of this group is unacceptable. Unless you are doing something to fix the problems yourself."

Shane: If each year the population increases then we should see over time more modern titles become the new "best sellers", like the "biggest" ever "weekend" grossing movies will nearly always the lastest, but neccessarily the greatest. The best ever list will more backward looking as some albums and movies have staying power and generation jumping abilities. There are exceptions to the rule, Bat out of Hell, Come on Over (Shania Twain), please that's as bad as that Laura girl being voted on to the next level in Idol. A list which is adjusted for population growth, cpi (spending power), spending habits, re-releases, outside influences (ie included in a popular movie). But all thats too hard, if the record company sends 70,000 albums out, that's a platinum album right there, I not up with the details but apparently thats how Casey Donovan made No1 on the charts."

Tony Holden: Wikipedia is pretty cool, and while the list of all-time best-sellers I found isn't limited to Australia, at least Meatloaf comes in at a more respectable 144.

Nicholas Manganas: You forgot Mariah Carey's Music Box which is somewhere near the 13X platinum mark. According to Sony Music it apparently sold over 1 million copies in Australia in 1993/1994. It was the best selling album of 1994 in Australia spending about 18 weeks at number one. Around mid-2004 a Gold Edition was released celebrating sales of over 500,000 copies. Molly Meldrum presented Mariah with a plaque celebrating 10X platinum on television around Xmas time Dec. 1994."

Gerty: Please tell me who the national icon is that Tom Cruise broke the heart off."